The Australian Government warned yesterday that Gina Rinehart, the world’s
richest woman, posed a “threat to democracy” over plans to use her increased
stake in a major newspaper group to promote her own commercial interests.

The billionaire iron ore magnate, who has been fiercely critical of the Labor
government, last week increased her stake in Fairfax Publishing, the
country’s second largest publishing group, from 12.6 per cent to 18.7 per
cent. She is now pushing for three seats on the Fairfax board, the role of
deputy chairman and is reportedly demanding the right to influence editorial
decisions, including the hiring